Discover What Scripture Says
I’ve read through the Bible many times and can find no same-sex marriages in Scripture. Zero.
Beyond that, I see no homosexual relationships either. Though some may try to twist the biblical narrative and take it out of context, they’re wrong to do so.
They can’t theorize the existence of same sex attraction in Scripture. This is nothing more than fanciful imagination and not reliable truth.
The idea of same-sex marriage is a recent development. It isn’t in the Bible, permitted through Scripture, or approved by God.
Those who see things differently twist what the Bible says to make it conform to what they want to believe, rather than to let the Bible inform their beliefs. Or they ignore God’s Word altogether.
What The Bible Teaches
A handful of verses throughout Scripture address same sex relationships. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God prohibits homosexual acts (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). He couldn’t be any clearer.
And for those who dismiss the Old Testament as no longer relevant to us today, the New Testament has plenty to say on this matter.
Jesus teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman (Mark 10:6-9).
Paul has a lot to say about this as well, especially to the Corinthian church, which struggles with sexual issues.
He also condemns homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and promotes marital sex between husband and wife (1 Corinthians 7:2-3).
To the Roman church, Paul identifies lesbianism as a shameful lust and an unnatural activity. The same for homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27). He also criticizes practicing homosexuality (1 Timothy 1:9-11).
Sexual Immorality
Beyond this, the Bible addresses the bigger concept of sexual immorality, which is something we must avoid. Yet in today’s world of anything-goes-sexuality, the scope of sexual immorality becomes very small.
But we’re wrong to read the Bible’s teaching against sexual immorality as aligned with society’s view of the phrase. Instead, we must view sexual immorality through the understanding of what it meant at the time when the Bible was written.
Basically sexual immorality in the Bible is any sex outside of marriage, which is between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage falls outside of this and is one of many examples of sexual immorality.
A final thought on sexual immorality is Paul’s teaching that sexual sins are against our bodies, whereas all other sins occur outside of our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18).
One understanding of this is that we bare deeper scars from sexual sins than from all other types of sin.
Through Jesus we can have all our sins forgiven, but we may still have to deal with the consequences of those mistakes. With sexual sin, there’s more to deal with. Much more.
The Right Response
As followers of Jesus, what should our view be towards same-sex marriages, homosexual relationships, and sexual immorality?
We should offer people who engage in such activities the same love that God gives us.
We should offer them the same mercy that we receive from our Savior. We should offer them the same grace that our Heavenly Father gives us. This is a right and appropriate response.
Yet there’s one possible exception. Paul writes to the Corinthians that they are not to associate with sexually immoral people within the church. He tells them to expel those wicked people (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
But this was implicitly a short-term solution until that man repented. Then they are to restore him into their fellowship (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).
If we treat the sexually immoral within the church according to this example, may we also remember to bring them back when they repent.
Throughout all this, may we offer those in same-sex marriages, homosexual relationships, and sexual immorality God’s love, mercy, and grace.
For a reasonable, grace-filled conversation about how loving, Bible-believing Christians should respond to LGBTQ+ people and their allies, read The Christian Church’s LGBTQ Failure.
The Christian Church’s LGBTQ Failure is available in ebook, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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